Forklifts are the workhorses of the material handling industry. A quality forklift lasts long, but unfortunately, they don’t last forever. Most business owners want to get the most out of their equipment, so how do you find the sweet spot between retiring a forklift too soon or waiting too long to buy a new forklift?  

Gather the data 

Consider several things before you decide to replace a piece of expensive equipment. To make sure you make a well-informed decision, gather the following information: 

  • The age of the forklift
  • The forklift brand’s estimated life expectancy/hours of operation
  • The current hours of use 
  • The current and past types of application 
  • Maintenance logs to determine the frequency and type of repairs 

Ask your forklift operator 

Your forklift operator will most likely be the first person to notice signs of wear and tear. Ask them to be on the lookout for any of these issues: 

  • Signs of cracks and other distortions anywhere on the forklift 
  • Wear and tear on the fork blades 
  • Wires that are worn, broken, or exposed 
  • A sluggish engine or transmission  

General questions to keep in mind   

As a forklift owner, here are a few questions to ask yourself to determine if it’s time to replace your equipment: 

  • Is your forklift out for repairs more than usual? Unless it’s planned downtime, you’re probably losing time and money if your forklift is out for repairs.  
  • Have you exceeded the recommended hours of operation? Well-built forklifts have a lifespan between 10,000 and 20,000 work hours. You’re playing roulette with unplanned downtime if you’re past the limit. 
  • Is your forklift used in extreme applications or temperatures? Understanding anything beyond regular use will cause a forklift to age faster is essential.
  • Is your engine or transmission going bad? It can cost thousands of dollars to repair a failing engine or transmission. Do the math before you spend the money on repairs -you might want to spend your budget on a new lift truck with the latest technology.  

Our best advice is to start this process before needing a new forklift. A planned purchase where you budget and research before you buy is ideal. A surprise last-minute purchase when your forklift breaks down during your busiest season is not.  

Need help figuring out if it’s the right time to replace your forklift or fleet? Let us help. Click here to contact us today.  

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